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Charles Wilkes War-Dated Letter Signed on the CSS Alabama, a “Pirate” Vessel to Be Seized “if found in Cuban waters” American naval officer, ship's captain, and explorer (1798-1877) who led the United States Exploring Expedition and, during the Civil War, commanded USS San Jacinto during the Trent Affair in which he stopped a Royal Mail ship and removed two Confederate diplomats, which almost led to war between the United States and the United Kingdom. Civil War-dated LS, one page both sides, 8 x 12.5, December 21, 1862. A letter of “Conditional Orders” addressed from the “Flag Steamer Wachusett” in Grand Cayman, sent to Commander T. H. Stevens of the U. S. Steamer Sonoma regarding the Confederate raider CSS Alabama, in part: “It is my intention to go to ‘Cienfuegos’ [Cuba] direct as possible. The boilers of this steamer are in such a condition that I may not be able to get there in which event, I shall make signal to you to proceed to Cienfuegos, while I will proceed to Cape San Antonio to cruise off there until my coal is barely sufficient to enable me to reach the Havana...Should you hear anything of the Alabama, or that she is expected — you have reason to believe is reliable — you will remain or take such action as may seem to you best, to communicate with me off Cape San Antonio, and notify the Consul at Havana...Should the Alabama be at Cienfuegos, you will not suffer her to escape you even in neutral waters, for she is to be received to all intents and purposes as a Pirate.” In fine condition. In 1862, Secretary Welles sent a squadron commanded by Adm. Charles Wilkes to hunt down Confederate raiders in the Caribbean. In theory, U.S. Navy ships could not pursue enemy ships inside a neutral country's three-mile limit. However, in this rare order, Wilkes tells one of his captains that the Alabama should be confronted, “for she is to be viewed to all intents and purposes as a Pirate.”

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Charles Wilkes War-Dated Letter Signed on the CSS Alabama, a “Pirate” Vessel to Be Seized “if found in Cuban waters” American naval officer, ship's captain, and explorer (1798-1877) who led the United States Exploring Expedition and, during the Civil War, commanded USS San Jacinto during the Trent Affair in which he stopped a Royal Mail ship and removed two Confederate diplomats, which almost led to war between the United States and the United Kingdom. Civil War-dated LS, one page both sides, 8 x 12.5, December 21, 1862. A letter of “Conditional Orders” addressed from the “Flag Steamer Wachusett” in Grand Cayman, sent to Commander T. H. Stevens of the U. S. Steamer Sonoma regarding the Confederate raider CSS Alabama, in part: “It is my intention to go to ‘Cienfuegos’ [Cuba] direct as possible. The boilers of this steamer are in such a condition that I may not be able to get there in which event, I shall make signal to you to proceed to Cienfuegos, while I will proceed to Cape San Antonio to cruise off there until my coal is barely sufficient to enable me to reach the Havana...Should you hear anything of the Alabama, or that she is expected — you have reason to believe is reliable — you will remain or take such action as may seem to you best, to communicate with me off Cape San Antonio, and notify the Consul at Havana...Should the Alabama be at Cienfuegos, you will not suffer her to escape you even in neutral waters, for she is to be received to all intents and purposes as a Pirate.” In fine condition. In 1862, Secretary Welles sent a squadron commanded by Adm. Charles Wilkes to hunt down Confederate raiders in the Caribbean. In theory, U.S. Navy ships could not pursue enemy ships inside a neutral country's three-mile limit. However, in this rare order, Wilkes tells one of his captains that the Alabama should be confronted, “for she is to be viewed to all intents and purposes as a Pirate.”

Estimate 600 - 800 USD
Starting price 200 USD

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For sale on Saturday 14 Sep - 18:00 (EDT)
amherst, United States
RR Auction
+16037324284
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Gustavus Fox War-Dated Autograph Letter Signed to Rear Admiral John A. Dahlgren, Discussing the Battle of Cherbourg Officer of the United States Navy (1821-1883) who served during the Mexican-American War, and as the first Assistant Secretary of the Navy during the Civil War. Civil War-dated ALS signed “G. V. Fox,” one page both sides, 5 x 8, July 30, 1864. Handwritten letter marked “Private” and addressed to Rear Admiral John A. Dahlgren, in part: “Herewith are some interrogatories for you and the Genl. made on account of the persistent attacks of the papers that the monitors are no use at Charleston and only do what Dupont did with wooden vessels. I think you and the Genl can rectify such stupid assertions but we shall not publish the answer probably until the report of Dec. The engagement of the Alabama and Kearsarge is a vindication of your theory of pivots and big shell guns for that class of vessels.” In fine condition. The United States Navy warship USS Kearsarge sunk the notorious Confederate States Navy warship CSS Alabama on June 19, 1864, off the coast of France in the historic Battle of Cherbourg. Alabama had been pursued for two years by the screw sloop-of-war USS Kearsarge, which, under Captain John Winslow, was armed with two 11-inch (279 mm) smoothbore Dahlgren guns that fired about 166 pounds of solid shot, four 32-pound guns, and one 30-pounder Parrott rifle. The conflict proved to be a matter of quality over quantity, as the well-placed and powerful shots of the Kearsarge proved far more effective than the scattered salvo sent forth by the Alabama.